Lima Rochester

Relocation analysis based on 7 federal data sources

Should you move?

Moving from Lima to Rochester is unfavorable: BEA regional price parity goes from 89.7 to 97.0 (US = 100), and HUD 2-bedroom rent rises by $465/mo.

+$11,459
BLS median salary higher in Rochester
293 to 380
violent crimes per 100K (FBI UCR, state-level)
18.2:1 to 11.8:1
NCES student-teacher ratio
$2,078
DOL infant care higher / yr in Rochester

BEA Regional Price Parity, HUD Fair Market Rent, BLS OEWS, FBI UCR, NCES, and DOL. The table below lets you override the composite with your own priorities.

Verdict
Unfavorable
Cost Index: 89.7 → 97.0
Rent Delta: +$465/mo

Pros of Moving

  • + $11K higher median salary
  • + Better student-teacher ratios

Cons of Moving

  • - 7% higher cost of living
  • - $465/mo more expensive rent (2BR)
  • - Higher violent crime rate
  • - More expensive childcare
  • - More environmental violations

Purchasing power tightens: BEA RPP rises from 89.7 to 97.0, so the same paycheck buys less in Rochester (ratio 1.08). HUD 2BR Fair Market Rent rises $465/mo ($5,580/yr) from $1,108 in Lima to $1,573 in Rochester.

Lima still leads on 5 of 7 federal dimensions, the origin keeps the edge. Rochester sits #223 of 387 metros on PlainRelocate livability (middle third). Lima is #156/387 on the same ranking. Composite verdict: Unfavorable. Override it with the dimension table below.

BLS OEWS median salary moves $11,459 higher ($61,326 → $72,785). Labor-market size: 43,810 tracked jobs at origin vs 478,930 at destination.

State retirement friendliness favors staying put: Ohio scores 59 (D, #29/51) vs New York at 46 (F, #46/51). Full state tax and healthcare sub-scores sit in the retirement desk below.

Dimension
Lima
Rochester
Winner
Cost of Living
RPP 89.7
RPP 97.0
Lima
Rent (2BR)
$1,108/mo
$1,573/mo
Lima
Wages
$61,326
$72,785
Rochester
Crime
293 per 100K
380 per 100K
Lima
Schools
18.2:1
11.8:1
Rochester
Childcare
$11,791/yr
$13,869/yr
Lima
Environment
1500 violations
5536 violations
Lima

State retirement friendliness

Primary-state scores from PlainRelocate's retirement registry (tax + healthcare + climate composite). Metro pairs use each metro's primary state abbreviation.

Origin state · Ohio
59 D #29/51
Income tax
72
Property tax
57
Estate tax
100
Healthcare
10
Destination state · New York
46 F #46/51
Income tax
80
Property tax
48
Estate tax
50
Healthcare
96

Full retirement ranking · Source composite documented on methodology (Tax Foundation + AARP tax guides + federal healthcare/climate inputs).

Salary Adjustment Calculator

Enter your current salary in Lima to see what you'd need to earn in Rochester to maintain the same purchasing power.

Equivalent salary in Rochester
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Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, HUD Fair Market Rents, BLS OES, FBI UCR, NCES, DOL, EPA; retirement desk: Tax Foundation + AARP tax guides June 2026